A high-ranking delegation from Hanoi led by Vice Secretary of its Party Committee Dao Duc Toan has paid a working tour starting July 31 to Belarus, Latvia and Croatia to seek ways to boost the city’s friendship and cooperation with their capitals.

In Belarus’s Minsk city, Vice Secretary Toan held talks with Chairman of the municipal Executive Committee Andrei Victorovich Shorets, during which he affirmed that Hanoi attaches importance to developing its relations with capitals, major cities and countries that are Vietnam’s traditional friends, including Minsk, reported Ha Noi Moi daily.

Shorets emphasised that the relationship between the two capital cities holds an important role in the two countries’ ties. He believed that the delegation’s visit will help foster the cities’ comprehensive cooperation in the time to come.

They agreed on contents of a draft cooperation programme proposed by Minsk, with a focus on boosting collaboration in urban transport, healthcare, tourism and culture.

The Hanoi leader expressed his hope to receive Belarus’s experience in building, managing and using an international-standard library system.

In Riga capital of Latvia, Toan had a working session with Mayor and Chairman of the City Council Nils Usakovs who introduced him to the city’s experience in managing old quarters, resident management and tourism development.

Toan said he hopes to cooperate with Riga in numerous areas and strengthen friendship and cultural exchange between the two peoples.

He suggested the two cities boost collaboration in economics, finance and tourism, share experience in managing old quarters and preserving ancient architectural works.

In Zagreb capital of Croatia, the Hanoi delegation visited several cultural sites, and learned about the city’s experience in urban management and planning and conservation of cultural heritage sites and ancient architectural works.